A brief, unmistakable change passed over Darcy’s expression.
“I shall ride to Longbourn. It will be faster.”
Darcy stood immediately. “Then I will accompany you.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Thank you.”
Miss Bingley glanced between them, her smile tightening slightly.
Not long afterward, Elizabeth and Darcy were cantering side by side down the lane.
As they approached Longbourn, they paused at the gatehouse. Mr. MacDonald came out, with Patch close behind him. Patch wagged his tail enthusiastically and leapt about Elizabeth’s horse. Bramble merely flicked an ear and stood patiently.
Elizabeth nodded to Mr. MacDonald. “I understand we had some excitement last night.”
Mr. MacDonald nodded eagerly. “We did, ma’am. Patch found him quick enough, and your men trussed him up like a turkey. He has been complaining ever since.”
Darcy suppressed a brief chuckle.
Elizabeth smiled. “My thanks to Patch. He is evidently an excellent watchdog.”
Patch wagged his tail at the sound of his name.
They continued toward the house. Darcy dismounted and assisted Elizabeth down. Harris came forward to take the reins.
“He is inside, miss. Complaining all night.”
Elizabeth turned to him. “Send word to the camp. Ask for Captain Langley. Tell him Mr. Wickham has been found trespassing again on Longbourn land and is to be collected at once.”
Harris nodded and hurried off.
Elizabeth turned to Darcy. “Let us see our visitor.”
He offered his arm, and they entered the house together.
Darcy smothered a laugh at the sight of Wickham. He was indeed trussed like a turkey and had what appeared to be a sock in his mouth. Darcy’s expression hardened before he spoke. “Good morning, Wickham. Stirring up more trouble, I see.”
Wickham glared at him.
Elizabeth regarded him coolly. “Ordinarily I would have the gag removed, but I doubt he has anything of value to add.”
Wickham struggled indignantly but could not move far.
Elizabeth turned to one of the grooms. “Tell me the whole of it.”
He nodded. “It was a little past eleven, miss, when we heard Patch growling out front. We went out with a lantern and found him there. He tried to run, but we caught him quick enough. He was shouting a great deal of nonsense, so we used one of his socks to quiet him.”
Elizabeth noticed, for the first time, that one of Wickham’s feet was indeed without a sock. She allowed herself the smallest smile. “I see. Very well. He may remain as he is until the militia arrives. This is becoming an annoyingly regular occurrence.”
After some time, Harris was seen returning down the lane with several militia and Captain Langley.
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Thank you for coming.”
Captain Langley dismounted. “I regret that he has become such a nuisance. He will be confined at camp until Colonel Foster returns next week.”
They watched as two soldiers brought Wickham out. His legs were free, but his hands remained bound. The sock had been removed, and he was loudly complaining of his treatment.
Captain Langley regarded him with disgust. “You will be quiet, or I will have you gagged again.”
